Shares in Cranswick (CWK) gained 2% to £52.50 after the pork-to-poultry processor raised its earnings guidance. The firm said it expects FY26 adjusted pre-tax profits to be towards the upper end of current market expectations.
The upgrade follows strong trading in the third quarter to 27 December 2025, with all of the food producer’s product categories seeing year-on-year growth. Premium ranges traded particularly well over Christmas and Cranswick benefited from strong poultry pricing to boot.
| Share price: £52.50 (+2%) | PE: 18.5x |
| Market cap: £2.76 billion | Yield: 2.1% |
MEATIER PROFITS EXPECTED
Investors in Cranswick can expect FY25 adjusted pre-tax profits to land towards the upper end of the company-compiled £211.3 million to £216 million consensus. This follows bumper December sales driven by record Christmas trading across the company’s fresh pork, convenience and gourmet festive product ranges.
‘Premium added-value ranges performed particularly well, including showcase centre of plate products and festive grazing platters,’ commented Cranswick. The company supplies major UK supermarkets as well as the premium and discount retailers with fresh pork, poultry, convenience, gourmet products and pet food. ‘We delivered excellent service levels and innovative new product launches for our key strategic retail partners, enabling this strong Christmas performance.’
POULTRY PRICES UP
Despite the pressures facing the UK consumer and some tough comparatives, Cranswick’s poultry revenue was ‘significantly’ up year-on-year, driven by stronger fresh poultry pricing reflecting a move to enhanced welfare lower stocking densities.
Whilst still a small part of the business, pet products revenue grew strongly as Cranswick’s relationship with retailer Pets at Home (PETS) continues to develop.
Following the update, Shore Capital nudged up its FY26 pre-tax profit forecast by 1% to £215.5 million, while its new earnings per share forecast of 290.5p implies robust year-on-year growth of 8.2%.
We have long been fans of Cranswick, a high-quality food producer with strong ties to all the UK grocery winners and an outstanding track record of earnings and dividend growth. We share Shore Capital’s view that Cranswick is a ‘core holding in the UK consumer arena’.
Read the press release here: https://cranswick.plc.uk/investors/regulatory-announcements
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